Environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, is launching a Biodiversity Council, a scientist-led thinktank based at the University of Melbourne. Brendan Wintle, a professor in conservation science at the University of Melbourne, was the director of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub, which gave frank advice to the government about the need to do more to turn around the decline of Australia’s plants and animals. He is now a lead councillor for the new body. “There are twin crises that we face – the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis – and one of them gets a hell of a lot more attention than the other,” Wintle said.
Almost half of all new cars sold in Australia by 2030 will be battery electric vehicles, according to a new analysis of Australian government policy by the Climateworks Centre. But the think tank warned this target will fall short of limiting climate change to 2C and would need to be significantly higher to limit temperature rises to 1.5C. The analysis, from its Government Climate Action report released today, investigated state, territory and federal government policies on climate change, and found they had made "promising steps" towards Australia's net-zero emission target by 2050.
Quiet electric trucks could transform how cities operate — but only if regulation keeps up with emerging technology. Currently, diesel trucks are subject to urban curfews, set by states or local councils, to limit noise pollution at night on residential streets. Electric truck manufacturer SEA Electric's Asia Pacific vice-president Glen Walker said if electric trucks were exempt, more businesses would be adding them to their fleets. Volvo said there would be more of an uptake in EV trucks if Australian regulation changed.
Tanya Plibersek to launch Biodiversity Council to help save Australia’s threatened animals and plants
Modelled on the Climate Council, the body says it will be a ‘strong and trusted voice’ backed by science including First People’s knowledge.
'Half of the new cars to be electric by 2030'
Almost half of all new cars sold in Australia by 2030 will be battery electric vehicles, according to a new analysis of Australian government policy by the Climateworks Centre. But the think tank warned this target will fall short of limiting climate change to 2C and would need to be significantly higher to limit temperature rises to 1.5C.
Electric trucks could reduce peak hour traffic and climate emissions if they were exempt from curfews, transport experts say
Volvo said there would be more of an uptake in EV trucks if Australian regulation changed.
Queensland royalty rises for coal now expected to provide $3bn windfall
The Queensland government’s decision to increase royalties on record-high coal prices is expected to net the state an additional $3bn this financial year – almost four times the windfall predicted in the June state budget. The treasurer, Cameron Dick, will deliver Queensland’s mid-year budget update on Wednesday, which shows the state’s bottom line has swelled thanks to the controversial decision to introduce higher-rate tiers for coal royalties, which kick in when prices are high and miners are making superprofits.
Sale of hybrid cars double that of EVs in Australia with experts blaming lack of electric incentives
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data reveals more than 8,500 hybrid vehicles were sold in November – almost double the number of battery electric vehicles at 4,457. Hybrid vehicles have become so popular in Australia they now account for one in every three cars sold by Toyota.
Greens MP Brad Pettitt sticks it club over Woodside
Greens MP and ex-Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt crashed the Dockers annual general meeting on Tuesday night armed with stickers urging members to cover up the Woodside logo on the club’s material. Mr Pettitt was among a group of climate activists with stickers that read, “Dockers, give Woodside the old heave ho”. “Unfortunately Woodside is using the Dockers to ‘greenwash’. I think it’s time it got called out and it’s time it changed.” Pettitt said it would be “absolutely” disheartening to see the Dockers claim a maiden premiership with the Woodside logo emblazoned on their chests.
Only three Sydney councils on track to meet national household food waste target
Just three Sydney councils have implemented household organic food waste collection, despite federal and state governments wanting all metropolitan councils to have a system by 2030. The federal government recently changed its target for household organic food waste collection, which was previously for all councils by 2023.
Bin so long: Adelaide woman puts rubbish out for first time in two years after epic effort to cut waste
‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’ ethos has long been part of Alice Clanachan’s life, but now she avoids creating waste in any form.